Brakes - The Beatific Visions

Brighton's own take on the supergroup, Brakes, return with their second long-player having regained the services of a couple of Electric Soft Parade siblings and a British Sea Power operative. As lyrically quirky and interesting as their debut 'Give Blood', 'The Beatific Visions' is a solid collection of intelligent pop with a real sense of fun – Porcupine or Pineapple is one minute of pure insane indulgence and superb with it. Jangly REM-style hooks feature on a number tracks, most notably on Cease or Desist and whilst the album is at times brilliant (opener Hold Me In The River and the delicate closer, No Return), it ultimately suffers from not utilising the brothers ESP's undoubted vocal talents, with several tunes just crying out for some harmony action. Alas, we are denied, and left wanting a little more. [Jon Seller]